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How the top 10 picks might unfold at Saturday morning’s AFL national draft.
1. Melbourne, Jack Watts
Sandringham Dragons/Brighton Grammar, DOB 25/3/91, 195.8cm, 82.5kg.
Watts and Nicholas Naitanui will be the top two picks and it is widely-assumed the Demons will go with Watts. He starred at this year’s under-18 championships. Tall-marking forward, excellent all-round player.
2. West Coast, Nicholas Naitanui
Swan Districts/Midvale JFC, DOB 4/5/90, 200.9cm, 93.9kg.
There have been big wraps on this ruckman for more than a year and he has won All-Australian honours at the last two under-18 nationals. Great athleticism and strong work ethic. Played most of this season in the WAFL seniors for Swan Districts.
3. Fremantle, Stephen Hill
West Perth/Quinns Districts JFC, DOB 1/5/90, 183.7cm, 68.9kg.
Here is where the draft becomes interesting. The word out of Perth is the Dockers will take Hill, rather than Daniel Rich, with their first pick. But Fremantle are not convinced Melbourne will definitely take Watts, so there might be a shock in store. Hill is a left-foot utility with great pace.
4. Port Adelaide, Hamish Hartlett
West Adelaide/Edwardstown FC, DOB 14/7/90, 184.1cm, 76.6kg.
The Power are likely to take either Hartlett or ruckman Tyrone Vickery. The brother of Carlton player Adam, he’s a midfielder and another under-18 All-Australian this year.
5. Essendon, Michael Hurley
Northern Knights/Macleod FC, DOB 1/6/90, 192.5cm, 91.8kg.
Given Mal Michael has retired and Dustin Fletcher is nearing the end of his career, the Bombers may well take the man rated as the leading key defender in this year’s draft. Named at full-back in the last two under-18 All-Australian teams.
6. Carlton, Chris Yarran
Swan Districts/Midvale JFC, DOB 19/12/90, 180.3cm, 83.3kg.
Some rate this medium forward as the best talent in the draft. He boasts exciting skills and the ability to avoid a tackle. Impressed for Swan Districts at senior level in the WAFL.
7. Brisbane Lions, Tom Swift
Claremont/Swanbourne JFC, DOB 7/6/90, 190.9cm, 84.5kg.
Something of a smokey, given knee injuries have put him out of action for much of the last two seasons. But new Lions coach Michael Voss rates him and there are big wraps on this midfielder’s ability to win the ball.
8. Richmond, Tyrone Vickery
Sandringham Dragons/Haileybury College, DOB 31/5/90, 200cm, 88.8kg.
It seems likely Hartlett and Vickery will end up at the Power and Richmond in the first round. Recovered from a knee injury to win under-18 All-Australian honours this year and his father John works at Punt Rd as a fitness coach.
9. North Melbourne, Steele Sidebottom
Murray Bushrangers/Congupna FC, DOB 2/1/91, 183.6cm, 80.5kg.
Starred at the TAC Cup grand final with 10 goals, also won All-Australian selection this year. Can play anywhere on the ground and has strong all-round skills.
10. Adelaide, Jackson Trengrove
Calder Cannons/PEGS, DOB 1/11/90, 196.5cm, 88.5kg.
The Crows’ need for height at either end of the ground is well-documented. Trengrove can play in defence or attack and loves a contest. A hamstring injury ended his season prematurely.
Notable omissions: Daniel Rich and Jack Ziebell are also widely-touted as possible top-10 selections and should go in the first round.
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